Album Reviews

@planetmosh reviews Shake the Breakdown by .@JacksonFirebird on .@Napalm Records For some reason the whole country seems to be going bonkers today over some band called Iron Maiden releasing a new album.  Well I’d rather be listening to these two Aussies, who’ve backed up a great debut in Cock Rockin’ …

Since the turn of the millennium, everything Iron Maiden have done has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. If a band gets a second bite at the cherry of the success, it’s very rare for it to pay off, yet Maiden not only took that opportunity but also watched themselves grow …

Following a triptych of increasingly impressive albums, there are some – and we most likely are in the minority – who believed that Five Finger Death Punch somewhat lost their way in 2013, with the overly-ambitious double ‘The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell’ set – …

Although they have been around since the early part of the Noughties, Michigan mosh starters Battlecross did not really make an impression until the mighty Metal Blade Records picked them up and released their first “proper” album, ‘Pursuit Of Honor’, in the latter half of 2011.  Relentless touring – including …

Hallelujah! Powerwolf are back! For those who are already Powerwolf fans, yes the pun was intended. For those who are not, well let’s just say the word Hallelujah crops up pretty frequently in the bands’ lyrics. But I digress, the gorgeous priests of Power Metal have returned with their latest …

Immediately Splintered Halo caught my attention with their masked appearance, and enigmatic front-woman Evelyn, I had to investigate more, and i’m pleased to say their latest offering We’re All A Little Mad In Here turned out to be a rare treat.  I think they introduce themselves very well with; ‘Wonderland has …

The MacGregors a five piece punk/rock ‘n’ roll band from Essex released their début album ‘In Your Face’ via Eddie Currents Records on 19th June 2015, with an album launch party at The White Horse in Sudbury. Where did they get the name from? No idea as I haven’t asked …

With 25 years passing miraculously and the band drifting away from their death metal roots, this doesn’t stop Amorphis excelling in their craft. The Finnish metallers carry something special; the ability to produce variation and to apply all of it into their music. And they have done that especially on …

Stone Angels is an unsigned four piece hard rock band from Brighton who release their debut album Give in to Temptation on September 4th.  They are Niall Kersey on vocals and rhythm guitar, James Innes on lead guitar, Chris Wilson on bass and Ben Taylor on drums.  The band was formed in …

They’re back… Backyard Babies – Peder Carlsson, Johan Blomquist, Dregen and Nicke Borg, born same year, same town, Nässjö, southern Sweden – have returned to action after a five-year hiatus. Formed in 1989, and with half a dozen studio albums to their name, the line-up of the band has never …

City of Thieves made their live début at Camden Rocks earlier this year. Cutting your rock teeth at a big event is fairly momentous and with their début EP Incinerator being produced by Toby Jepson former Little Angels and Gun front man, mixed by Mike Fraser and mastered by Simon Francis I …

Now, while I am not a Nile fanboy I do enjoy the technical death metal fused with near Eastern topics. It’s a mix of things that shouldn’t work but does. And if nothing else; the drummer on the record is superb. It is scarily good, inhuman, at points; kudos, George …

“Hardrada” marks Ossiyan’s first release. And off the bat, the artwork is great and hooked me straight away. I love a good concept album so I was excited to give this one a good listen. This is a strange one with its lofty concept and fun use of samples, it …

Who are Disfago? You may ask because I can’t find much information about the band members. What I have managed to surmise is that they are a three piece thrash/punk band based in London who have all served time, in other bands, not literally! They released a five track double …

When people think of heavy music from the continent of Oceania, the first three names on their lips will (more often than not) be AC/DC, Airbourne and Parkway Drive. It’s actually a shame, because New Zealand’s Shihad should be in with a shout every single time. Formed almost thirty years ago in …

After being lucky enough to catch this band live twice this year, firstly tearing up the HMS Hammer cramming so much intensity and energy in a 15 minute slot it was crazy.  Secondly witnessing them whipping the main stage crowd at Graspop into a metal frenzy, I could not wait …

Neal Morse is without doubt one of the maestros of the Progressive Rock genre, and with his latest release, Morsefest 2014, he delivers an astonishingly produced live dvd/cd boxset. This 2 dvd/4 cd release, filmed over the 14th and 15th of November 2014 in Nashville, fully captures the majesty off …

When news broke earlier this year of the return of Chicago metallers Disturbed, it was greeted with excitement and anticipation. Having gone on hiatus in 2011 amid rumours of internal conflicts and after a series of less-than-acclaimed live performances, the band secretly reformed in the January of 2014 and began …

Formed in 1995 when Josh Todd and Keith Nelson met via their tattooist and a shared love of AC/DC, a few line up changes, a few name changes, a brief hiatus and with six studio albums behind them Los Angeles based Rockers Buckcherry, will release their 7th studio album, Rock ‘n’ Roll, …

Possession have been battling away for only three years and already picked up an almighty buzz about them in underground circles. During 2014 they released the well received “Anneliese” 7” which was the story of Anneliese Michel who was considered possessed and died of malnutrition and dehydration brought on as …